Device for foot comfort

ABSTRACT

Devices for the comfort of a foot. The devices comprise a heel strap, a foot comfort piece, coupling means and anchoring means. The foot comfort piece, which supports and underlies the foot, is operatively coupled to the heel strap directly or indirectly, for example by sleeves, straps, strap and hook features or any other coupling or fastening means known in the art. The coupling and fastening means may include a base plate which underlies the piece. The anchoring means is operatively coupled to the foot comfort piece. The foot comfort piece is secured to the foot by the anchoring means, the coupling means and the heel strap. The location of the foot comfort piece is also adjustable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to devices for foot orthotics and footcomfort solutions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over-pronation, or flat feet (also referred to as pes planus), is acommon biomechanical problem that occurs in the walking process when aperson's arch collapses upon weight bearing. This motion can causeextreme stress or inflammation on the planar fascia, possibly causingsevere discomfort and leading to other foot problems.

Over-pronation is prominent in people who have flexible, flat feet. Theframework of the foot begins to collapse, causing the foot to flattenand adding additional stress to other parts of the foot, the leg and thebody.

There are many causes of flat feet. Obesity, pregnancy or repetitivepounding on a hard surface can weaken the arch leading toover-pronation. People with flat feet often do not experience discomfortimmediately, and some never suffer from any discomfort at all. However,when symptoms develop and become painful, walking becomes awkward andcauses increased strain on the feet and calves.

Over-pronation, and other foot problems, can be treated conservatively(non-surgical treatments) by using foot orthotics that can be eitheroff-the-shelf or custom-made. These orthotics are generally designedwith appropriate arch support and medial rear foot positioning toprevent over-pronation, as well as other problems. Footwear is generallyexamined to ensure there is a proper fit. Footwear with a firm heelcounter is often recommended for extra support and stability. Improperfitting footwear can lead to additional problems of the foot.

The off-the-shelf foot orthotics have numerous drawbacks. The orthoticis generally either a thick sole insert or a thin hard insert. Eithercan only be used with a shoe that has a removable thick sole insert andcan accept orthotics. Therefore, the orthotic cannot be worn withfashionable, warm-weather or indoor shoes, including but not limited towomen's high heels, ballet flats, sandals of various types (flip flops,thong sandals, strappy sandals, etc.), mules, and slippers. In addition,because the off-the-shelf orthotic is not customized to the foot, theposition of the arch may be incorrect.

While a custom orthotic provides a customized arch support for theparticular foot it is supporting, it has numerous drawbacks. Thecustomized orthotic is either a thick sole insert that must be worn withshoes that have a thick removable sole piece or a thin and hard piecewhich must always be worn with shoes equipped with an insert that canaccept foot orthotics. A shoe with a heel counter is also usuallyrequired. As such, the custom orthotics can only be worn with a fewtypes of shoes.

There are also other types of orthotic devices in the prior art that arenot full-length, but rather fit a particular part of the foot. However,once again, these orthotic devices must be worn with a shoe.

Furthermore, the term “foot comfort piece” is used in this document tomean generally any foot comfort piece which provides foot comfort orsupport including foot orthotics. In the prior art, there are toe padsor heel cushions, made from gel, foam or other materials that providefoot comfort and that any skilled artisan would readily conceive of. Forexample, a heel cushion can ensure that the heel does not slip out ofthe shoe or that blisters are avoided by unwanted rubbing of the footagainst the shoe. The heel cushion can also provide padding to a personsuffering from a heel spur. However, these prior art devices must beworn with a shoe and the types of shoes that may be worn are restrictedto some degree.

Another drawback is that shoes that have removable sole inserts tend tobe unfashionable and unattractive. In addition, the above-notedshortcomings of the prior art can lead to people, who need to wear footorthotics, wearing them less than the desirable amount of time, thuscausing further discomfort, such as arch pain.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for the comfort of a foot. Thedevices comprise a heel strap, coupling means and anchoring means, allof which operate to more accurately position a foot comfort piece on auser's foot. The device may also include a base plate to which thevarious straps and attachment means may be coupled. The foot comfortpiece, which supports and underlies the foot, is operatively coupled tothe heel strap directly or indirectly, for example by sleeves, straps,strap and hook features or any other coupling or fastening means knownin the art. The coupling and fastening means may include a base platewhich underlies the foot comfort piece. The anchoring means isoperatively coupled to the foot comfort piece. The foot comfort piece issecured to the foot by the anchoring means, the coupling means and theheel strap. The location of the foot comfort piece is also adjustable.

The base plate may be constructed and arranged to hold or include a footcomfort piece that underlies the foot. This piece can be generic orcustom-made. Other aspects of the invention do not require a base plateas the foot comfort piece may be directly coupled to the foot usinghooks, straps, and other attachment means.

The device may be advantageously worn with or without shoes.

The present invention is further advantageous in that the device fitswithin many types of footwear, including many fashionable shoes. Giventhe minimal amount of material required for the device, the device ofthe present invention is relatively less expensive than orthotic devicesof the prior art. The device of the present invention is also discreetand generally unnoticeable. Furthermore, the device can be used for amyriad of footwear. Therefore, it is not limited to shoes with removablesole inserts or otherwise to a specific shoe.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a device for foot comfort,the device comprises a heel strap, a foot comfort piece for providingfoot comfort and for supporting the foot, such that the foot comfortpiece underlies the foot, anchoring means for securing the foot comfortpiece to the foot, coupling means for operatively coupling anchoringmeans to the heel strap. For this aspect of the invention, the footcomfort piece is secured to the foot by the anchoring means, thecoupling means and the heel strap. Also in this aspect, the location ofthe foot comfort piece is adjustable.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a retrofit kit forfoot comfort, the retrofit kit comprising a heel strap, a coupling meansfor operatively coupling an existing foot comfort piece to the heelstrap, and anchoring means for securing the existing orthotic piece tothe foot. In this aspect of the invention, the existing foot comfortpiece is secured to the foot using the anchoring means, the couplingmeans and the heel strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described byreference to the following figures, in which identical referencenumerals in different figures indicate identical elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the device according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the device, similar to the one shownin FIG. 1, on the foot according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the device, similar to the oneshown in FIG. 1, on the foot according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the device on the foot according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the device, similar to the oneshown in FIG. 4, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the device having a further footcomfort piece according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the device on the foot according toanother embodiment of the present invention, having an adjustable lengthstrap and hook coupling feature;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the adjustable length strap andhook coupling feature of the device according to another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the device on the foot according toyet another embodiment of the present invention, having adjustablelength straps coupling feature; and

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the device according to yetanother embodiment of the present invention, having adjustable lengthstraps coupling feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, maybe used herein. It should be understood that these terms are notintended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments,“connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are indirect physical contact with each other. “Coupled” may be used toindicated that two or more elements are in either direct or indirect(with other intervening elements between them) physical contact witheach other, or that the two or more elements co-operate or interact witheach other (e.g. as in a cause and effect relationship).

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the device 10 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The device 10 includes a heel strap20, a base plate 30, and anchoring means 40A, 40B. In this embodiment,the base plate 30, which supports and underlies the foot, is connectedto the heel strap. The base plate 30 is constructed and arranged toprovide comfort to the foot 90 by properly positioning a foot comfortpiece 50. The foot comfort piece 50 may provide padding, may be anorthotic piece, or may be any device or component which, when used,provides comfort to a person's foot as that person is standing orwalking. The foot comfort piece 50 may be any component for foot comfortas may be contemplated by the skilled artisan. The anchoring means 40A,40B are operatively coupled to the heel strap 20 and the base plate 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base plate 30 is coupled to a separate footcomfort piece 50 which is overtop of the base plate 30 and whichcomfortably underlies the foot 90. Although the foot comfort piece 50 isshown overtop of the base plate, the foot comfort piece 50 may alsopositioned underneath the base plate 30 (not shown). In this alternativeembodiment, the foot comfort piece 50 would comfortably underlie thebase plate 30. The foot comfort piece 50 would also be in direct contactwith a ground surface if the device is worn barefoot or in directcontact with the surface of a shoe worn by the foot. As such, theseparate foot comfort piece 50 may be covered with a non-slip material.The separate piece may be a foot pad, an orthotic stent, or a cushion.In another embodiment, the foot comfort piece may be placed between twolayers of material of the base plate.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7, each of the loopsof the anchoring means 40 embracingly engages at least one toe of thefoot. It should be mentioned that the anchoring means 40 do notnecessarily need to include loops as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7. Theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 6 shows the anchoring means 40operatively coupled to the base plate 30. This embodiment in FIGS. 4-6uses a single loop as an anchoring means. This embodiment has two strapsas the anchoring means—both straps are attached to the base plate andpass between the big toe and the second toe. In one view, it can be saidthat one toe is embracingly engaged by a single loop as an anchoringmeans.

In FIG. 1, the device 10 is shown with a foot comfort piece 50. The footcomfort piece 50 may be an orthotic piece that is a generic or acustom-made orthotic piece. Various hard or soft pads are alsocontemplated as a possible foot comfort piece 50. The foot comfort piece50 or the base plate may be provided with a non-slip cover material toprevent or minimize the movement of the foot comfort piece 50 relativeto the base plate. Such movement may move the foot comfort piece 50 outof its proper position and may cause foot pain or discomfort. Thepresent invention also contemplates that the foot comfort piece 50 maycover the full length of the base plate 30 or a smaller area of the baseplate 30. It is also contemplated that the foot comfort piece 50 mayoverhang from the base plate 30, and such that the foot comfort piece 50is not fully supported or adhered to the base plate 30.

In FIG. 1, the heel strap 20 optionally has adjustment pieces 60A, 60Bto provide an adjustable heel strap 20. The length of the heel strap 20can be made longer or shorter depending on the user's foot length.

It should be mentioned that the heel strap length may also be customizedto the foot length. In this case, the base plate 30 would be adjustablein size or length (not shown) and movable along the heel strap 20 asshown more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6 where the base plate 30 is slidablethrough the three operative connection sleeves 70A, 70B, 70C to the heelstrap 20.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the device, similar to the one shownin FIG. 1, with the device deployed on the foot 90 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the base plate30 is directly secured to the foot 90 by the anchoring means 40A, 40Band the heel strap 20. Use of the base plate 30 allows the foot comfortpiece 50 (not shown in FIG. 2) to be operatively coupled to the foot tothereby provide foot comfort to the wearer.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the device 10, similar to the oneshown in FIG. 1, on the foot 90 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the device 10 on the foot 90according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the device 10, similar to the oneshown in FIG. 4, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. The device includes an optional heel strap adjustment piece60C for adjusting the length of the heel strap 20. The base plate 30 isalso shown as having operative sleeve couplers 70A, 70B, 70C tooperatively couple the base plate 30 to the heel strap 20. In FIG. 5,the anchoring means 40 is operatively coupled to the base plate 30.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the device 10 showing a foot comfortpiece 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Thedevice in FIG. 6 may be configured to allow the foot comfort piece 50 tobe removable or the foot comfort piece 50 may be integral to the device.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the device 10 on the foot 90 according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 includes aheel strap 20, a foot comfort piece 50, coupling means 80 and anchoringmeans 40A, 40B. The coupling means 80 may take the form of sleevecoupler as shown in FIGS. 4-6. In this specific embodiment the footcomfort piece 50, which supports and underlies the foot 90, isoperatively coupled to the heel strap 20 by one or more sleeve couplers80, one of which is shown more clearly in FIG. 8 as sleeve coupler 80A.As can be seen, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 does not use a baseplate as the relevant couplers are directly coupled to the foot comfortpiece 50.

Although the anchoring means 40A, 40B in FIG. 7 include two loops, theskilled artisan would readily conceive of other anchoring means such asa single loop or direct operative coupling means as shown in FIGS. 4through 6. Furthermore, the separate foot comfort piece 50 may beprovided with or without a non-slip cover material.

FIG. 8 is a close-up of sleeve coupler 80A according to one embodimentof the present invention. The sleeve coupler 80A includes a strap 24, afirst and second sleeve 25A, 25B. The heel strap 20 passes through firstsleeve 25A while a hook 26 located on or which is attached to the footcomfort piece 50 passes through second sleeve 25B. The strap 24 ispreferably similar in nature to the heel strap 20. This strap 24 may beimplemented as having an adjustable length (not shown) to allow foradjustments depending on the user's foot size. The strap 24 is connectedto first and second sleeves 25A, 25B to thereby operatively couple theheel strap 20 to the base plate 30 by way of the hook 26. The hook 26may form part of the foot comfort piece 50 or may be attached orremovably attached to the foot comfort piece 50. Of course, otheranchoring means, such as a bridge constructed of a suitable material ora loop, may also be conceived and used by the skilled artisan.

It should be noted that other alternative coupling means may be used.FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the device 10 on the foot 90according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The device10 includes a heel strap 20, a foot comfort piece 50, coupling means 80Band anchoring means 40A, 40B. In this specific embodiment the footcomfort piece 50, which supports and underlies the foot 90, isoperatively connected to the heel strap 20 by one or more sleevecouplers 80B. The configuration of the sleeve couplers is shown moreclearly in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the device 10 according to yetanother embodiment of the present invention. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 10, the foot comfort piece 50 is operativelyconnected to the heel strap 20 by two sleeve couplers 80B. Each one ofthese sleeve couplers passes underneath the foot comfort piece 50 andhas sleeves at each end. Accordingly, in this embodiment, each of thesleeve couplers has a sleeve at each side of the foot and the heel strap20 passes through both of these sleeves. Of course, while FIG. 10illustrates two sleeve couplers 80B, more than two sleeve couplers canbe used. Alternatively, instead of relatively thin sleeve couplers, asingle large sleeve coupler, similar to that shown as elements 70A and70B in FIG. 6, can be used. The sleeve couplers in FIG. 10 can beconnected across the bottom of the foot comfort piece 50 by adhesivemeans. It should also be mentioned that all of the straps, sleevecouplers, and sleeves discussed above may be made of plastic material.The foot comfort piece 50 may be made of leather material. In oneembodiment, the plastic material is transparent such that the device canbe used with the straps, couplers, and sleeves being mostlyinconspicuous.

It should also be noted that the configuration in FIG. 10 may be usedwith a base plate (not shown) with the foot comfort piece 50 beingovertop the base plate. The sleeve couplers 80B would be coupled to thebase plate and would therefore operatively couple the foot comfort piece50 to the foot.

It should be mentioned that if the foot comfort piece 50 is made from aleather material or a more slippery material, it may be preferable thatthe device 10 be worn with a non-slip surface shoe.

The device 10 may also include elastic materials.

It is clearly understood that device 10 may include multiple types ofmaterials.

It is further mentioned that the entire device 10 may be made of atranslucent material. For example, it may be desirable that the straps,sleeves, couplers, and anchoring means 40 are made of a translucent ortransparent material, such that strappy sandals, for example, may beworn without the device being obvious or prominent to others.

It should also be readily understood that the device 10 of the presentinvention may be worn on the foot without shoes. Shoes are not requiredfor the wearer. Furthermore, the device in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention is suitable for use with many, ifnot all, types and manners of footwear.

In another embodiment of the invention, a retrofit kit for existing footcomfort pieces is provided. A user may already have an existing footcomfort piece and simply wishes to be able to use the foot comfort piecewith or without their footwear.

The retrofit kit has the various parts of the device as explained abovewith the exception of the foot comfort piece. The coupling means and theanchoring means are attachable to the existing foot comfort piece bywell-known attaching means such as staples, adhesives, clips, hook andloop straps (also known as Velcro™), and any other suitable means forattaching to the foot comfort piece. Preferably, the coupling means andthe anchoring means are removably attachable to the foot comfort pieceso that a user may, if they wish, unattach the retrofit kit from thefoot comfort piece.

It should be clear that part of the invention encompasses the concept ofdetachably wearing an orthotic device (or a foot comfort piece) on afoot using different types of attachment means. As noted above, theseattachment means allows a user to use the orthotic device both with andwithout shoes. The attachment means includes straps that are attachedunderneath the orthotic device, straps attached directly to the sides ofthe orthotic device, and any other means by which the orthotic devicecan be detachably worn on a foot.

A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternativestructures and embodiments or variations of the above all of which areintended to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in theclaims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for foot comfort, the device comprising:a heel strap; a foot comfort piece for providing foot comfort and forsupporting the foot, such that the piece underlies the foot; anchoringmeans for securing the piece to the foot, coupling means for operativelycoupling anchoring means to the heel strap; and wherein the foot comfortpiece is secured to the foot by the anchoring means, the coupling meansand the heel strap, and wherein the location of the foot comfort pieceis adjustable.
 2. The device as in claim 1, wherein the heel strap is anadjustable length strap.
 3. The device as in claim 1, wherein the heelstrap includes at least one adjustment piece for adjusting a fit of theheel strap.
 4. The device as in claim 1 further comprising a base platesuch that said foot comfort piece is overtop of said base plate, saidfoot comfort piece underlying the foot.
 5. The device as in claim 1wherein the foot comfort piece is covered with a non-slip material. 6.The device as in any one of claim 1 wherein the foot comfort piece isone of: a foot pad, an orthotic stent, and a cushion.
 7. The device asin claim 1, wherein the coupling means operatively couples the footcomfort piece to the heel strap using at least one sleeve.
 8. The deviceas in claim 1, wherein the coupling means operatively couples the footcomfort piece to the heel strap by way of at least one sleeve coupler.9. The device as in claim 8, wherein the or each sleeve coupler passesunderneath said foot comfort piece such that said heel strap is coupledto each sleeve coupler at each end of said sleeve coupler.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 9 wherein each sleeve coupler is attached tosaid underneath of the foot comfort piece by adhesive means.
 11. Thedevice as in claim 1, wherein the coupling means operatively couples thefoot comfort piece to the heel strap by way of at least one hook. 12.The device according to claim 11, wherein the coupling mean comprises: astrap; a first and a second sleeve, said first sleeve being attached tosaid second sleeve through said strap; wherein said hook passes throughsaid second sleeve and said heel strap passes through said first sleeve.13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the strap is adjustable toallow for adjustments depending on a user's foot size.
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the hook is attached to the foot comfortpiece.
 15. The device according to claim 11 wherein the hook isremovably attached to the foot comfort piece.
 16. The device accordingto claim 11 wherein the hook forms part of said foot comfort piece. 17.The device as in claim 1, wherein the anchoring means extends from bothends of the heel strap.
 18. The device as in claim 1, wherein theanchoring means is secured between two toes and couples to said footcomfort piece.
 19. The device as in claim 1, wherein the anchoring meansextends from at least one end of the heel strap, and wherein theanchoring means further includes a loop for embracingly engaging atleast one toe.
 20. A retrofit kit for foot comfort, the retrofit kitcomprising: a heel strap; coupling means for operatively coupling anexisting foot comfort piece to the heel strap; and anchoring means forsecuring the existing foot comfort piece to the foot, wherein theexisting foot comfort piece is secured to the foot using the anchoringmeans, the coupling means and the heel strap.
 21. The retrofit kit as inclaim 20, wherein the heel strap is an adjustable length strap.
 22. Theretrofit kit as in claim 20, wherein the heel strap includes at leastone adjustment piece to adjust the length of the heel strap.
 23. The kitaccording to claim 20 wherein the coupling means operatively couples thefoot comfort piece to the heel strap using at least one sleeve.
 24. Thekit according to claim 20 wherein the anchoring means is secured betweentwo toes and couples to said existing piece.
 25. The kit according toclaim 20 wherein the anchoring means extends from at least one end ofthe heel strap, and wherein the anchoring means further includes a loopfor embracingly engaging at least one toe.
 26. A device for footcomfort, the device comprising: a foot comfort piece for providing footcomfort and for supporting the foot, such that said foot comfort pieceunderlies the foot; and anchoring means, operatively coupled to the footcomfort piece for securing the foot comfort piece to the foot, whereinthe foot comfort piece is secured to the foot by the anchoring means;and wherein the location of the piece is adjustable.